The Battle of Messines 7-17 June 1917

Gaining possession of the Messines Ridge was crucial prior to an allied attack for control of the area around the Ypres Salient.

The British had been digging under German positions since 1915 and by June 1917 had laid 21 mines containing nearly 1,000,000 tons of explosives. Running beneath the German 4th Army’s lines these were detonated as a prelude to the attack on the morning of 6th June 1917.

Waiting in the assembly trenches the 3rd Worcestershires had witnessed the tremendous explosions and seen the devastation caused as the earth was shattered by the huge mines.tacking, with ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies leading, they reached the German front-line trench, forcing the bewildered enemy to surrender. The two leading companies halted and dug in, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies continued to the next objective, Bell Farm. Against heavy machine-gun fire they reached the ruined farm buildings. Beneath the buildings in deep dugouts, the occupants having survived the bombardment were summoned to surrender.

Having gone into action with 18 officers and 618 other ranks the final objectives were largely gained before dark with fewer losses than expected, the battalion having suffered 240 casualties. As the advance reached the far side of the ridge, heavy artillery and machine-guns fire was encountered. With British artillery less able to suppress them, fighting continued until 14 June.